The Dutch water lines: a series of almost a hundred forts that tell the history of a unique Dutch way of defense. Flooding land to stop an enemy is not used in this way anywhere in the world. It has given the defense system the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Now no longer necessary to protect our country, the lines have had to reinvent themselves. That worked. Today they have become strongholds of peace, nature and gathering.
From decline to renewal
The forts were not looked after for a long time. For decades some were forgotten in the landscape, but that is a thing of the past. Each and every one of them has been given a destination that makes them a contemporary part of our country again. The fort on the Nekkerweg was given a new purpose as a wellness center. It took years, but now sauna goers and hotel guests are breathing life back into the fort.
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Shelter
Nowadays people even live permanently in the fort at the Krommeniedijk. Young people with autism lead as independent lives as possible, supported by supervisors from a youth care institution. Where the fort once had to protect the area from the enemy, it now protects the residents against too many stimuli.
But there is more happening around the fort. As was previously seen in this series, The area surrounding the fort offers space for thousands of godwits. This multiple repurposing can be found on more forts. Almost everywhere they are bastions of peace, nature and relaxation.
This is the last article of a series of twelve, to accompany the television series.
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If you would like to know more about this subject, you can do so on the website Dutch Waterlines
Along the Dutch Waterlines consists of 12 episodes and is a collaboration between the regional broadcasters NH, RTV Utrecht, Omroep Gelderland and Omroep Brabant.
The series was made possible by: Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Waterschap Amstel, Gooi en Vecht, Waterschap Rivierenland, Province of North Holland, Province of Utrecht, Province of Gelderland and Province of North Brabant.